After almost 30 years of distinguished service with Sunshine Coast Council, one of the region’s planning and development stalwarts is leaving to take up an exciting new role.
Warren Bunker has played an instrumental role in shaping the growth and development of the Sunshine Coast for more than 28 years.
But a new chapter awaits when he starts his amazing new role as chief executive officer at Whitsunday Regional Council.
Mr Bunker said he was excited by the opportunity to lead the Whitsunday Regional Council.
“I look forward to assisting the region to continue to prosper and optimise its potential, as well as highlight its unique character, outstanding beauty and economic drivers,” Mr Bunker said.
Sunshine Coast Council CEO Emma Thomas said that while she was sad to see Mr Bunker leave, she was pleased he has the opportunity to take on this new challenge.
“He is a consummate professional and his greatest legacy is our region’s strong and effective approach to growth management and long-term multi-party infrastructure agreements that have ensured large new developments pay their way and protect ratepayers from having to subsidise the cost of major new communities,” Ms Thomas said.
As the group executive of council’s liveability and natural assets group, Mr Bunker was in charge of leading the environmental sustainability agenda, managing growth and overseeing the capital works program.
He was responsible for implementing the new Maroochydore CBD and overseeing street-scaping programs for the historic towns.
He was previously manager of strategic planning with the former Caloundra City Council, then director of planning and environment at the council, before his role as group executive, liveability and natural assets.
“Warren has overseen the development of multiple local planning instruments for the region and led project teams delivering many other major planning projects, including structure plans and infrastructure arrangements for the Kawana Waters, Palmview, Caloundra South, Maroochydore and Beerwah East major development areas,” Ms Thomas said.
“Several generations of young planners and many other staff have benefitted from Warren’s mentorship and guidance, frequently illustrating the importance of planning for the long term and tenaciously pursuing a vision from conception to delivery.
“More recently, Warren was awarded life fellowship of the Planning Institute of Australia for his contributions to planning on the Sunshine Coast and to the planning profession more generally.”
As the council’s acting CEO for nine months in 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Bunker guided councillors as they were sworn in and found their feet in difficult and unprecedented times.
In the past year, Mr Bunker has also served in multiple acting group executive roles, sharing his knowledge and experience across council.
“Warren has made a large and very important contribution to our organisation and region, and he is now ready to take on a new challenge,” Ms Thomas said.
“It is my pleasure to thank Warren for his efforts and commitment, and to wish him all the best in his new role at Whitsunday Regional Council.”
Whitsunday Regional Mayor Julie Hall said Mr Bunker was appointed following a competitive recruitment process that attracted more than 60 high-quality applications from across Australia.
“Warren is a well-respected individual with over 30 years’ experience in private practice and Queensland local government on the Sunshine Coast and North Queensland,” Cr Hall said.
“Warren’s knowledge combined with a demonstrated track record in the business of local government placed him as the ideal candidate to lead our region forward.
“We wanted someone with strong leadership, management and advocacy skills to lead the organisation and Warren passionately believes in empowering teams and staff to achieve common goals.
“Importantly, we have a shared desire to build on our community engagement and strengthen our partnerships with our varied stakeholders.
“Along with my team of councillors, I look forward to working with Warren to deliver open and transparent local government for the Whitsunday region and most importantly deliver positive results for our community.”
Mr Bunker will officially commence his new role on February 27.
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